• S3E3: Things I Have Learned from Six Special Role Models
    Jul 7 2025

    In this episode, I talk about what I have learned from six individuals whom I have worked closely with professionally, personally, or in the context of hobbies. These are not necessarily the most accomplished people I know -- though they have accomplished a lot -- but rather are people whose decision-making about what to do and even more how to do those things is nearly impeccable. It all comes down to how they treat other people -- with consideration which is to say with appreciation, admiration, and valuing the relationship over decades. Those individuals are Julian Schroeder, Jennifer Meehan, Howie Erichson, Norm Tonina, Bob Eichfeld and Tim Carter. To know them is a special pleasure and a unique learning opportunity if you can grasp it. I imagine each of us has people like them in their lives; bask in the joy of knowing them and see what you can learn and apply from observing them go through life.

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    11 mins
  • S3E2: Openness to New Experiences as a Strategy for Impact and Well-Being
    May 31 2025

    In this episode, I share examples of how I have pushed myself at times to avoid personal and professional ruts and as a result, have accomplished more and been more satisified with my life. I underscore how this strategy can be used by mission-driven leaders in a variety of ways.

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    9 mins
  • S3E1: Dealing with Feelings of Despair as a Nonprofit or Mission-Driven Leader
    Jan 31 2025

    In this episode, I share a bit about my own recent feelings of despair, why occasional feelings of despair are normal for nonprofit leaders, and ten strategies for dealing with them so that you can regain a sense of energy, optimism, and possibility that helps you and your team do more good in the world.

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    12 mins
  • S2E9: Stop Beating Yourself Up; Learn to Manage Your Strengths Instead
    Dec 8 2024

    In this episode, I talk about the inevitability of dropping the ball on a few important activities or tasks or priorities, and the importance of not beating yourself up about them -- since it is part of being a nonprofit leader -- but just get back to them when you can. I spend the rest of this episode talking about one of my strengths -- decisiveness -- and how it can also be a weakness: impatience. Learning how to maximize your strength while managing its dark side (which starts with acknowledging it in the first place) is a key leadership opportunity, and I share about how I have done so with decisiveness/impatience.

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    10 mins
  • S2E8: Making Hard Decisions as a Leader & Facing the Consequences
    Jul 27 2024

    In this epsiode, I discuss President Biden's decision to end his campaign for reelection and relate it to a similar decision by President Truman many years ago, and how both of these situations relate to the opportunities, challenges, and responsibilities of mission-driven leadership.

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    8 mins
  • S2E7: The Power of Asking People What They've Learned
    Jul 25 2024

    In this epsiode, I give an example of how I asked a family member in their 90s what she had learned that she would share with a woman in her 20s if they asked her for career advice. Her response, and my reflections on the value of this conversation, make up the bulk of this short episode.

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    7 mins
  • S2E6: What to Do (and Not Do) When Problems Emerge & Why You Shouldn't Become Too Reliant on Any Person or Group
    Jun 16 2024

    In this episode, I mine two recent exerperiences and share what they taught and reminded me about how deal with unexpected setbacks, as well as pitfalls to avoid in responding to them. And I also explore why it is risky to keep going back to the same people, over and over, who have skills, financial resources, or expertise that can help you seize opportunities or solve problems.

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    9 mins
  • S2E5: The Importance of Practicing "Extreme Consideration" and Demonstrating "Ethical Fiber" as a Nonprofit Leader
    May 18 2024

    In this episode, I extend a theme I recently wrote about on my blog about what it means in a leadership and fundraising context to practice "extreme consideration" for others. I also discuss how being ethical when its inconvenient can pay long term dividends. As always, I try to be practical and succinct.

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    13 mins